In case anyone is wondering where I spend Wed night (9/14), I was at the Big 4 thrash metal show at Yankee Stadium in NY City. I got tickets through a friend of a friend. The seats were so-so, but I have been spoiled lately by getting floor “seats” and ending up just back from the rail. (I was maybe 7-10 people back when I saw Megadeth last summer and only 3-4 and right in front of Lemmy when I saw Motorhead last March.) The show was great, though the organization of getting in was piss-poor. I did, however, see Eddie Trunk (hosts a NYC-based metal radio show) while waiting in line. (I was in line. I’m sure he had special backstage passes.)

Anthrax opened the show. I’m not a huge fan in the sense that I don’t own/know a lot of their stuff, but it was great to see them for the first time especially as they’re a local band. I did recognize a few songs (Caught in a Mosh, Indians, and I am the Law). Megadeth put on a decent show, though I think they were better last summer. (Dave Mustaine said he shouldn’t even be playing as he was in the hospital on Monday for tests prior to neck surgery.) Slayer was up next and was great. Again, I’m not as familiar with they songs as Megadeth or Metallica. I did recognize War Ensemble, Dead Skin Mask, Hate Worldwide, and, of course, Raining Blood (one of the best opening licks in all of metal.) I was disappointed Jeff Hanneman was still not there (apparently sidelined by a spider bite), but the replacement (Gary Holt from Exodus, another thrash band) was still excellent.

Metallica closed out the evening with a spectacular show. It had been a while since I’ve seen them live and I’m not a huge fan of their new stuff, but it was great to see them again. They played a ton of old stuff with only three post-Black album songs. The intro to One was really good with tons of pyro effects. The flames from the large effects behind the stage were hot enough to feel even up in the second tier. (They used these for another few songs.)

Finally, the night “ended” with members of all four bands (and apparently) Exodus coming out and playing Overkill (Motorhead cover) together. Watching four drummers all play at once was hilarious. After that song, Metallica stayed on stage for Battery and Seek & Destroy.

All in all, it was one of the best concerts I’ve been to. I would have loved to be on the floor, but even a bit away was good.

(PS, sorry for the so-so photos, but all I had was my phone.)